Airport chaos expected as record numbers head abroad for Easter

Air travellers have been warned to expect massive queues at UK airports as the Easter holiday exodus begins.

A record 2.5 million Britons are jetting off abroad on holiday but many are expected to be caught short by new luggage restrictions.

British Airways passengers will be limited to a single 23kg bag, unless travelling to the U.S or countries whose rules are based on pieces of luggage, not weight.

Travellers with an extra bag will be expected to pay up to £240, although a spokesman said the rules will be applied 'sympathetically' and not fully enforced until September 30th.

It follows worrying admissions last week by Stephen Nelson, the chief executive of airport owner BAA. He said he could "not guarantee" that the emergency marquees used last year for the overspill of passengers queuing to pass through security checks would not be used again this year.

Mr Nelson said BAA is spending £40 million to hire 1,400 extra security guards at the seven airports it owns to reduce the queues at the barriers.

More than half these guards will be employed at Heathrow by the summer. But, said Mr Nelson, there will not be any real relief at Heathrow - used by 185,000 travellers a day - until Terminal 5 opens in March next year.

Mr Nelson warned of delays at Gatwick - used by 130,000 a day - this Easter because of the difficulty of getting extra security guards to work.

Mr Nelson added that his company was offering "an unacceptable delivery for too many passengers in terms of queues".